Presentation Materials for Special Services

Hope United Church offers modern audio and video equipment for use during special services like funerals and weddings. This article offers guidance if you wish to utilize this equipment for your special service.

Material

To include any material in your special service, it must be submitted prior to the event. Material provided on the day of the service might not be utilized. Please reach out to the church office to coordinate the delivery of the materials to the Audio Video team handling your event.

 You may submit material in any digital format you have such as;

• CDs

• DVDs

• MP3 files

• PowerPoint Presentations

• Video Files

• Audio Files

• Links to YouTube videos(1)

Given sufficient notice and prior arrangements(2), we can convert your analog material into an appropriate digital format for integration into your service. The formats we can convert include:

• Photographs

• VHS video tapes

• VHS-C video tapes

• Vinyl LP

• analog 8mm Video tapes

• 8 mm and Super 8 home movies (3)

  Notes

1. We discourage the playing of YouTube videos during your service. Instead, provide a link to the video you want to use, and we will convert it into a video file that is free of commercials and guaranteed to be available.

2. The conversion of this material is a manual process and requires several days. Additional fees may apply depending on the size of the job.

3. The sound from Super 8 movies is NOT converted

4. If you wish to present using your own laptop, be sure you have available a VGA output. Mac-books and newer Windows tablet-style computers require an adapter. We do not have the required adapters.

Equipment Sanctuary

Our sanctuary has a comprehensive audio system featuring a 16-channel audio mixer. We have a 12-channel snake leading to the stage, along with six microphones and stands available. Additionally, we offer 11 wireless headset microphones with transmitter packs and two wireless handheld microphones.

Two 100-inch roll-down projector screens with a 4:3 aspect ratio are in our sanctuary. These are not wide-screen displays. For the choir and those sitting in the chancel area, there is a 50-inch flat-screen display on a pedestal mount. The sound booth at the back of the sanctuary on the balcony controls all displays.

The Sanctuary has 5 PTZ (Pan-Tilt-Zoom) standard definition cameras that are used for video recording and live streaming of events.

Sound Booth

In the Sanctuary sound booth, a dedicated high-power computer is used to mix camera video and other media for live streams. We use the software OBS Studio for preparing live streams and recording. We live stream only to the YouTube platform and provide unique shareable links to all events.

A separate modern computer with PowerPoint presents content to the displays in the sanctuary. This computer can also present video with audio. We can also feed material from this computer into the live stream.

A third computer is used to control the various audio-video equipment and PTZ cameras.

We also have provisions to connect your laptop to the presentation system with audio via a VGA(4) connector and a USB audio device. However, we highly recommend you provide the media (DVDs, CDs, USB stick) and allow us to present it using our hardware.

a VGAZOand aOM

We can host hybrid in-person and online ZOOM meetings in our Sanctuary. ZOOM attendees are displayed on the main projector screens in Gallery or speaker mode. Audio from the ZOOM meeting can be routed to the sanctuary sound system. In this way, ZOOM attendees can address those present in person.

Also, audio and video from the Sanctuary re routed to the ZOOM meeting, so those on the ZOOM call can see and hear what is going on in the sanctuary. Audio is taken from the Sanctuary sound system so all hands-free microphones can be used. Video is prepared using the 5 PTZ cameras and the OBS Studio computer.

Church Hall

In the church hall (basement) we have a full sound system with a 16-channel mixer and a single wireless handheld microphone.

The hall also has a 100-inch projector screen that pulls down from the ceiling above the stage, in front of the curtains. A small trolley and projector are available for use with the screen but will need to sit about 10 feet in front of the stage. The space between the screen and the projector will need to be kept clear.

To present media using the projector, we recommend you use a laptop, either ours or your own. The projector has a standard VGA(4) connector for connection to the laptop. You can connect the sound system for audio using a standard 1/8" headphone connector, which most laptops have.

Operation

The operation of the equipment in Sanctuary requires trained operators from our congregation. We have several operators available, and with sufficient notification (one week) we can accommodate most requests. There is a fee for Weddings and Funerals, $50 for basic sound only and $100 for advanced tech. Advanced tech includes video recordings and lifestreaming of events to YouTube and integration of ZOOM meetings into events.

The equipment in the church hall is more basic, and our presence is not required for its use. Let us know how you wish it to be used, and we will have it set up in advance.